Electric switch.



J. SACHS. ELECTRl-C- SWITCH. APPLICATION EILED per. 14. 1,915.

Patented 11, 19-19.

4 SHEETS SHEET I.

wifnes sgs Ijmur J. SACHS.

ELECTRIC SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED OCT-14. l9l5.

l ,297,01 2 Patented Mar. 11, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2 M off w J. SACHS. ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 14. 1915.

Patented Mar. 11, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEE 4- Witnesses v Affarhs UNITED STATES PATENT ormon.

Josnrn SACHS, or HARTFORD, counnc'ric ur.

1 ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Specification of Letters'Patent.

Patented Mar. 11, 1919.

- Application filed October 14, 1915. Serial No. 55,764.

To all whom it mayc'oncern:

Be-it known that I, Josnrrr SACHS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have inventedfcertain new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electric switches.-

A switch involving the invent-ion possesses several advantageous features, among them being the provision of a casing in which aswitching member may be mbunted and an actuator for the switching member asso; ciated with the casing in a compact relation and susceptible of easy and ready action,

the actuator, in addition to operating the is the prov .sion of a novel form of a toggle mechanism, for imparting to the switching member a snap or accelerated motion. The

' device possesses other features of improvement which with the foregoing will be stated at length in the following description, wherein I will fully set forth that form of embodiment of the invention which have selected for illustration in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the. present specification. I do not restrict myself "to this disclosure; Imay depart therefrom in several respects within the scope of the invention defined by the claims following saic description. I Referring to said drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view ofa switch involving my inventiom'the actuator being in position to prevent access to the interior of the-casing.

Fig. ie a simllar view with the actuator I in the on position and the cover of the box or casing partially removed so to, permit access to the interior ot the casing.

Figs. 3 and 4 are transverse sections on rows, of the .the line 34.01% Fig. 7, looking in the direction of the arrows and showingthe parts: in the on and the of positions respectively.

Fig. his a front elevationpartly in section of the lower portion of the box.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section entire line 66 ofFig. 5, showing the cover as being removed.

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the switch with the cover of the box removed and with the actuator in crosssection.

Fig. 8 is a cross section on the line 8-8 I of Fig. '7, looking in the direction of the arrows and with the actuator in the oii or releasing position and the cover or the box removed.

Fig. 9' is a similar view with the cover of the box applied and with the actuator in the on or cover retaining relation. A

Fig. 10 is a section on the line 3-4 of Fig.

7, looking in" the direction of the arrows.

with the actuator-in the off position, the cover of the box removed and with the clamp of the inclosed fuse carrier in releasing position to free the fuse or fuses on, said carrier, one of which is shown as above, the carrier. Fig 11 is a detail view partly in acetic ofra switching member and a portion fits support, the connectors. of said switching member being removed. Fig. 12 is an end view of the clamp ofthe switching member. v

' Fig. 13 is a section on the line 13-130 5. Fig. 11, looking in the direction of the arcarrier only of said switching member. Fig. 14 is a detaihview of a clamp-locking toggle.

Fig.'l5 isa transverse section on the line of the arrows, the two side's of the view he 1515 of Figi 7 looking in the direction ing brought together and the switching member and contacts not showing.v Flg. 16 IS a sectional. view of a stationary contact and associated wire connecting and holding means.

Fig. 17 isa top plan view of a different form of switching member and the cotiper- T ating stationary contacts, a." part ,erthe switching member supportand boring-be ing illustrated Fig.- 18 is a transverse section 'on the line I 18'-18 of Fig/17, looking i'nthe direction of the arrows. I 1 e support.

' out the several views,

Fig. 20 is a cross section on the line 2020 of Fig. '17, looking in the direction of the arrows, the stationary contacts and the support being omitted.

Like characters refer to like are on different scales. 7 An electric switch involving the invention comprises a casing or box. This casing or box for protective purposes is adapted to house or inclose a switching member of suitable character and its requisite cooperating contact or contacts, generally stationary. The casing or box, the switching member and the contact or contacts may be of any desirable nature. .L referably the box vhas'a cover, and when the cover is on, the

casing or box is closed and may be suitably latched and sealed, a scalable latch of novel construction being provided for this purpose. in conjunction with the switching member is an actuator, and this actuator has in the present case, positions corresponding with those of the switching member, namely on and of positions. I provide means preferably externally of the box and which preferably moves approximately in a straight line, for preventing access to the boxwhen the switching member is on or in circuit closing position, said means being governed by the actuator or its associated switching member. This actuator, in the present case has as a part of it, means disposed in the path of opening movement of the cover of the box, the means in question acting to pre vent the cover being taken off when the switching member is on. In the organization illustrated said means is entirely free of the cover, being merely disposed in the path of opening movement of the cover, having in fact no interlocked connection therewith. In some cases there might be a contact between said means and the cover, but this contact is not a matter of consequence, the primary purpose being that there be an abutment in the path of open ing movement of the cover. While said means is susceptible of advantageous use in connection with covers mounted in various ways, it is, owing to the functioning of said means in the manner forth, of particular utility when used in conjunction with a non-pivoted cover, bodily removable.

box meeting my conditions is that denoted in a general way by 2. This box is equipped with a removable cover 3 adapted when closed as shown forinstanceuin igs. 1, and i to fit over the bod: ot-"the box. The cover or lid 3 as shown is provided in teriorly with pins as 4 adapted tO'hOOk in openings or slots as 5 in one end of the parts throughwhich it will be noted through the slot bent inward between their 'detent or abutment portions such as one which is.

body of the box shown for instance in Figs. 5 and 6, the cover when closed receiving the slotted tongue 6 (Figs. 1 and 2). The cover 3 as shown is provided with a latch memher as 7 pivoted thereto and the operative portion 8 of which is approximately of U- form and may be sealed as will hereinafter appear. When the cover 3 is applied the slotted tongue or catch-piece 6 will project 9 in the cover at which time one branch of the U-shaped portion 8 can be projected through the slot of the tongue 6, following which a sealing wire may be passed through the perforations of the branches of the U-shaped portion 8 and sealed in any of the ways in common use.

.It will be observed that the outer branch or leg of the resilient U-shaped or operative portion 8 of the latch 7 is bowed or deflected inwardly, by reason of which when the inner branch of said portion 8 is passed through the slot in the tongue or catch piece 6, said bowed or deflected portion will snap overthe catch piece or tongue to thus main tain the latch in its holding relation. While this latching means is of novel construction and well suited for the purpose, it is merely one Way of holding a cover in place.

While the actuator which I have shown is one form of push and pull type and has a sliding movement along approximately a straight path, it may not be necessary in all cases that the path be an exactly straight one. An actuator which meets the desired conditions is that denoted in a general way by 10. This actuator is virtually of yoke form, the side arms of the actuator being slidablyreceived in and guided by brackets or loops 11 fastened as by riveting or other wise exteriorly of the box on opposite sides thereof. The side arms of the actuator are ends to produce 12 Which are in the path of opening movement of the cover 3 when the switching member is on. In. Figs. 1, 3 and 9 the actuator 10 is shown as being in the on position and the inner surfaces of these portions 12 this time over lie and are contiguous to the cover 3, by reason of which the latter can not be opened nor can it be until the actuator is moved to the off position as shown for example in 2, 4- and 10. hen the actuator is in this'position the detent or abutment portions 12 will be suiticiently removed from the cover as to permit the opening of the cover provided the seal already alluded to, if used, be broken and the latch member 7 be swung back as shown in Fig. 2.

transverse portion 13 of the actuator 10, constitutes a grasping, manipulating or handle part. While it is highly advantageous that the actuator should be accessible exteriorly of the box 2, this may not in all cases be necessary.

T he switching member, its support and its coacting stationary contacts are inclosed in the box 2. The support for the switching member may of any suitable character, that denoted by '14 answering satisfactorily in this connection. This support 11 is of U or stirrup form, its body or transverse portion directly sustaining the switching'member, while its end portions 15 are connected to the side arms of the actuator 10. The ends 15 of said support are connected to the side arms of the actuator by screws 16, there being two screws on each side. The sides of the box 2 have vertically elongated slots 17 through which the two'pjairs of screws 16 project and in which they vertically move.

As already stated Imay use in conjunction with a supportas 14, or equivalent, any one of several different kinds of switching members, two being shown. these switching members is equipped with an inclosed fuse or fuses and the other has a plug fuse or fuses. I will first describe the form of switching member which is farnished with the inclosed fuses. Such a switching member is shown in Figs. 3, 4:, 7

8, 9 and 10, in detail in Fig; 11 and certain of its parts in Figs. 12, 13 and 1 1. This switching member .18 comprises as illustrated a carrier or main section 19 and a clamp or auxiliary section as 20.- The carrierhas seats as 21 in its upper side to reniovably receive the inclosed fuses 22, constituting suitable connectors. The clamping member 20 extends across the tops of the seats or channels 21, and when resting on I curved strap pivoted to the carrier 19 as for the upper side of the carrier 19 retains the fuses 22 in their seats 21. To removably hold the switching member to its support as 1%, screws as 23 may be provided. These screws are threaded into the support and extend through holes in thecarrier 19, the plain cylindrical upper portions, presenting shoulders, acting against the carrier 19 to hold it to the support. These cylindrical plain portions of the screws also act as guides for latter as ,will'be clear moves independently of the screws, separate means being provided for locking the clamping member '20 in active position. To accomplish this particular result, I may as illustrated provide two lockers'each of toggle form and' consisting of links or members24 and 25. Each member 21 consists of a yoke-like link pivoted to an end of the clamping member, while each link 25 consists of a preferably instance at 25. In Fig. 11 the toggle on the left is shown as being in its locking position, links being on the inside of the dead center line of said particular toggle. The toggle on the right is in releasing position, the center of connection between the two links One of.

' cent coiiperating the clamping member'20 which the point of connection of the two being on the outside of the dead center 'line thereof. I By moving the two toggles to re; leasing position the clamping member U can be elevated so as to lift out a blown fuse (Fig. 10) and replace a fresh one. When the new fuse is positioned, the clamping member 20 will be lowered and the two toggles moved to locking position.

The support 141 carries member of whatever form it may be. VVhere screws are used to attach or fix the switching member to the support, the threaded ceiving such screws or other holding down means, are preferably so disposed as: to permit the attaching means for any of the vari' ous switching means to coact therewith. While this arrangement is desirable and is shown in the construction herein illustrated, it is however, not imperative as each switching member may have separate screw recciving holes or equivalent means.

In the construction shown the said support is connected with the actuator 10. by

two pairs of screws, each pair serving to with the adjacent coiiperative side the actuator. These two screws one above the other, move and serve to connect the switching member support and its associated actuating means. They also act to prevent swinging motion in the switching member and assure a substantially straight line movement of the contacting parts. Equivalent means may, however, be provided to accomplish this result. The inner screw of each pair while serving as the pivot connecting the links of each coacting toggle, extends through a hole in its cotiperating endportion of the support 1ft and is threaded into the adjaside arm of the actuator. The outer screw of each pair is'threaded into' its cotiperating end 15 and extends through a hole in the adjacent side arm of the actuator. As shownthis arrangement arm of holds the switching member and its assothe switching holes or other means 1n the support for redisposed in the slot 17 end 15 of the support and the side arms -of. the actuator, through which the screw 16 extends. I

In conjunction with the switching member and its externally accessible actuating means, there is means for imparting to the switching member an accelerated or. snap movement, this being accomplished .inthe present instance by a toggle. Said toggle imparts to the switching member aquick' movement, being tensioned biy' and' on each movement of the actuator and released at predetermined points in tlieon and off movements of the switching"meniber and cate spring links 26.

its associated actuating means so as to secure the function in question.

In the construction shownI represent two over-the-center toggles each having dupli- The outer ends of the links of the two toggles are pivoted to the sides of the box 2 interiorlv thereof. The inner ends of the two pairs of links are pivoted to each other by the inner or lower screws 16., I have mentioned the fact that the two toggles have spring links. will be understood, therefore, that each link is in the form of a spring or resilient. The outer ends of the two links of each toggle in the present case, move about fixed axes and the toggling action is obtained as shown by the springiness or resilience of the links themselves. That is to say nothing extraneous of the links is required to obtain the snap toggle action. In Figs. 8 and 15 for illustration the links 26 of the two toggles are shown as being in their releasing or off positions, thecenters of con.-

' nection of the two links of each pair being above the dead center lines of gles." As the actuator 10 is'moved inwardly the centers of connection between the two pairs of-toggle links are moved toward and then across the dead center lines. As the centers of connection approach these dead center lines, the toggle links are bowed inward or tensioned, the links being released the instant the dead center lines are crossed so by reaction the spring links can impart to the support 14 and therefore to the switching member 18 carried thereby a snap movement.

quite small.

While it is true in the construction shown that there is a snap movement of the switching member on the closing movement thereof, this effect isnot of the utmost consideration; as a matter of fact the amount of snap movement at such time is When the switching member is moved to off position, however, or withdrawn from its coacting stationary contacts, the snap movement is greater, by virtue of which arcing is greatly reduced. The amount of snap movement imparted by, the spring link toggles in either direction beyond the dead center line will depend upon the relationship between the stops (hereinafter described) for the switching member and the position of the outer ends of the links of each toggle. The movement of the switching member is fixed in the construction shown, by the length ofthe slots 17 through which the screws connecting the ends of the support 14 and the side arms of the actuator 10 project. These screws striking the ends of the slots in either direction, serve to arrest the movement of the switching member support and consequently the switching member and its connector parts.

nected as by rivets the two togin its use or association with a switching member and an actuator such as described. In like manner I am not limited to the use of any particular means for obtaining a snap action as set forth, although the toggles described are highly advantageous,

In the box 2 are stationary contacts as 27 arranged in cooperating pairs. As shown the switch is a three pole-switch and is provided with three pairs of these contacts 27. In other kinds of switches there may be but a single contact or any number of pairs. These contacts 27 are resilient and of practically inverted U-form, being supported by the insulated bases 28 which are rigidly connected in some suitable manner to the bottom of the box." The outer legor branch of each resilientv contact 27, is shown conto an approximately inverted L-shaped wire connecting member 29 which fits over the upper side of its supporting insulating base 28 and is held in place thereto in any desirable manner for instance by the screw 30. As shown the screws carry nuts 31 constituting convenient means for clamping the respective wires to the wire connecting members 29. When the switching member 18 is in the on position, the end ferrules orterminals of the inclosed fuses 22 engage the contacts 27 so as to electrically bridge the contacts of the respective pairs as shown for examplein Fig. 9. The box 2 may be provided with wire ducts 32 serving the customary function or any other means may be provided for leading the necessary wires into and out of the box.

Referring now to Figs. 17 to 20 inclusive, the switching member 33 cooperates with the contacts 27 already described or with others of a suitable nature, and is removably car ried by the support 14. This switching member 33 is moved to the on and off positions as already described. The switching member 33 has an insulating body 34 of porcelain or other suitable material and is perforated to receive screws as 35 by which said switching member 33 can be detachably connected to the support 14. The insulating body 34 screw type held to the body by screws as 37, these screws extending through the insulating body 34 and being threaded'intostrips 38 bent around one side of the body 34, strips as 39 being bent around the has one or more shells as 36 of ppcs tended into and electrically connected with the respective shells 36. Each shell 36 const tutes a contact and each screw 37 also constitutes a contact. Each strip 38, therefore, presents a continuation of a screw 37, while each strip. each shell 39 constitutes a continuation of 36. Each shell '36 and screw 37 vis'insulated for example by a fiber washer 'nals of these strips ing member. The means 40. By' theinsertion of a fuse plug as 41 into av shell as 36 and the bottoming of. the

37 will be electrically 38 and 39. The termi- 3S and 39 are adapted, to slide downward bescr'ew v cotipe'ratmg strips as will be obvious,

tween and againstcotiperating stationary contacts 27 of a pair, in the same manner as is the case withthe other form of switching member. The switching are adapted to receive but two different kinds of fuses. It will be clear that switching members of other kinds and employing different types of fuses may be substituted therefor, and in some cases the switching member might be unfused.

It will be noted that the-spring toggle for imparting the I 'accelerated'movement and for holding the V cess to the fused portion of the switch in said box, supported ,cover, reciprocating switching member in its on or oiic' positions,

is, in-the construction shown, the spring but it is not imperativethat this although such an arrangement provides an advantageous construction. The means for holding the switching meme ber in its an and 'oil' positions need not essentially act to impart an accelerated movement to the switching member in its travel from one positi n to the other. It is of importance, howev r, that the switching member be held in its spring link toggles are one form of construction to produce this result.

What I claim is:

1. In an appliance of the character described, a box, a cover for said box, a switch independently of the toggles, be the case actuating means the switch, accessibleexteriorly of the box and comprising means to prevent opening of the cover sufliciently to give access to the switch when able in the direction of opening movement of the cover to free the cover. I

' 2. In an appliance of the character described, a box, a cover for said box, a fused switch in said box, supported independently of the' cover, reciprocating actuating means for'the switch, accessible exteriorly of the box and comprising means for preventing opening ofthe cover sufficiently to give acin the shell, the shell and cooperating bridged as will members shown of the switch-.

on and off positions. The i for I the switch is closed and movwhile and its cover and the switch is closed and movable in the di- 3. In an appliance of the character described, a box, a cover for said box, a switch in the box involving a movable member carrying a fuse, the switch being supported independently of the cover, actuating means for the movable member of the switch, accessible exteriorly of the box,

' switch is in the on position and in the off reciprocating switch,

and means to prevent opening of the cover to the fused porposition to electrically. disconnect said fuse from the live parts of the circuit and to permit the opening of said cover for the purpose of giving access thereto, said actuating means being movable in the direction of o ening movement of the cover to free said cover.

5. A box, a cover for said box, a switching member in said box, actuating'means for said switching member accessible'exteriorly of said box and movable along an approximately :straightpath, said switching member and said actuating means being independent and' free ofthe cover, and means associated with said actuating means and movable in approximately a straight line, for preventing opening-of the cover, when the switching member is in the on position.

6. A switch box having a cover, a, switch actuating means accemibie exte-' member in -approxi-.

riorly of the box and movable mately a straight free-of any connection with said cover, said actuating means when theswitc'h member 18 intheon position, being in the path of opening movement of said cover.

7. In an incased switch comprising a box having a cover, and aswitching member therein movable between on and'oif tions, actuating means ath of opening movement of said cover when the switching member is in the on po-.

sition.

8. In an incased switch comprising a box a switching member movp0S1- for said switching member accessible exteriorly of the box, said swi'tching'member with its ass'ociatedactuatbeing free of any connection with said cover and within the line and independent and p riorlyof the box, free of and movable able in said box, between on and off positions, means accessible exteriorly of the box, for actuating the switching member, said actuating means having means directly associated therewith and moving in an approximately straight line within the path of opening movement of the cover, for preventing the opening of said cover when the actuating means and the switching member are in one of their positrongsaid two means being movable independently of the cover.

9. A box, a switching" member in the box movable between on and oil positions, a yoke-like actuator slidably straddling the body of the box, and means connecting the actuator and the switching ,member and extending through the box, the actuator having an abutment exterior of the box and disposed in the path of opening movement of the cover when the latter is closed and when the switching member is in the on position.

10. A box having a cover, a switching member mounted for sliding movement withinsaid box, a yoke-like actuator slidably straddling the body of the box and connected withsaid switching member Within the box, said actuator being movable toward and from the cover of said box in an approximately straight line and having a portion disposed in the path of opening movement of the cover when the latter is in a closed position and the actuator is in the on positio v 11. A box having a cover, a switching member in the box movable along an approximately straight line, actuating for the switching member accessible exteinclependently of the cover along an approximately straight line, means movable with the'switching member during the on movement thereof, and free and independent of the cover, for preventing opening of the cover when the switching member is in the on posi-tion,"means for arresting the motion of the switching'member when the same is in the on and the of? positions, and means .for acceleratin the motion of the switching c member during 1ts respectlve movements,

and for holding the same against accidental reactive movement when in said two positions.

port, toggle eonora and to move their point of connection across the dead center line or the 'ggle.

13. An electric switch comprising a box, a switching member and its support in said a support for the switch of its movements. being adapted to tension the spring linksbox, of approximately U-fornn'a yohelike actuator straddling the box, the side arms of the actuator being connected with said support, two pairs of toggles each having a pair of links in the form of nected at their inner ends to the outer ends of the links of said support,

the two gles turningabout fixed axes, and the ac" tu-ator on each of its movements tensioning the springs of the toggles and then moving the inner ends of the links thereof across the dead center lines of said toggles.

14. A switching member comprising acarrier and a clamping member, the carrier having a seat for an inclosed fuse and the clamping member-holding the fuse in the "seat, and toggles connected with the carrier and with the clamping member and adapted when in one position to maintain the clamping member in fuse holding position.

15. An electrimswit'ch comprising a box, a switching member and' its support in said box, of approximately U iorm, a yoke-likev actuator straddling the box, the side arms of the actuator being connected with the supme'ans associated with said actuator and having spring links movable at their outer ends about fixed axes, the actuator on each of its movements moving the springs coninner ends of the said links across the dead center line. t

In testimonywhereof I affix my signature in presence of "two witnesses.

JOSEPH SACHS. Witnesses:

L. L. MARKEL, HEATH SUTHERIAND. 

